the goan I network
MARGAO
The Colva gram sabha on Sunday has once again resolved that the villagers will never allow the discharge of sewage waters from the sewage treatment plant under construction into the Arabian sea, saying such a discharge will pollute the water and spell doom for tourism at the world class beach, which has been branded as iconic by the Centre.
The issue which came up for discussion at the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes saw members vehemently demanding shelving of the sewage plant project that proposes to discharge the treated waters in the sea off Colva beach.
The gram sabha members were clear that the sewage treatment project would be welcome in the village only if it is meant for the local villagers and that the treated waters will not be discharged into the sea.
Members raised apprehensions that discharging the treated sewage waters will contaminate the beach and spell doom for tourism on the world-class beach.
Members pointed out that while the centre on the one hand has bestowed iconic status on the Colva beach, the state government is planning to set up the sewage treatment plant with a provision to discharge the treated waters into the sea.
The meeting also deliberated on the study ordered by the biodiversity board concerning the low-lying fields opposite the church which was earlier proposed to be developed for a football ground by the panchayat body.
After the meeting, Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes said the gram sabha has resolved to form a team of villagers, including doctors, engineers etc to conduct a parallel study on the low-lying fields.
The meeting also deliberated on the proposed panchayat ghar and the steps initiated by the panchayat body to construct a new premises and the road blocks faced by it in this regard.
